NFL Rumors: Ex-Browns Interim HC Gregg Williams Under Consideration as Jets DC

Gregg Williams is reportedly under consideration to become the New York Jets' new defensive coordinator, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter and Jeff Darlington.  

Williams would work under Adam Gase, whom the Jets reportedly hired as their head coach Wednesday, per Schefter and Darlington.

Williams was let go by the Cleveland Browns after they reportedly settled on Freddie Kitchens as their new head coach Wednesday, according to ESPN's Chris Mortensen.

Following the firing of Hue Jackson, Williams was installed as the Browns' interim head coach, leading them to a 5-3 record down the stretch.

Overall, Cleveland finished 7-8-1, which was its best record since going 10-6 in 2007.

While the Browns performed beyond expectations as a team under Williams, they ranked just 30th in total yards allowed and 21st in points allowed in 2018.

That was after Cleveland ranked 14th in total yardage allowed and 31st in points allowed in 2017 with Williams serving as the defensive coordinator.

Williams has extensive experience as an NFL defensive coordinator with the Tennessee Titans, Washington Redskins, Jacksonville Jaguars, New Orleans Saints, Los Angeles Rams and Browns.

He also served as the Buffalo Bills head coach from 2001-2003, going just 17-31.

In 2012, Williams was suspended by the NFL for running an illegal bounty system during his time with the Saints that paid players who injured the opposition. After returning from the "Bountygate" suspension, Williams spent time as an assistant with the Titans before landing another defensive coordinator job with the Rams.

During his 20-year NFL career as a head coach or defensive coordinator, Williams has had a top-10 defense in terms of yardage allowed seven times and a top-10 defense in terms of points allowed five times.

Last season under head coach Todd Bowles, the Jets were 25th in yardage allowed and 29th in points allowed.

Gase is an offensive-minded head coach, which means there would be significant value in hiring an experienced defensive coach to run that side of the ball.

If the Jets do hire Williams, he would take over a defense that features several talented players, including lineman Leonard Williams, linebacker Darron Lee, cornerback Trumaine Johnson and safety Jamal Adams.